Mountain of the sun

Familiar

Familiar.
The sound of driving over the rocky road that led to my childhood home.
Frankenmuth.
The harsh cold air that I haven't felt in years.
It's exactly how I remember. I can't say I haven't missed this town. The people. Everything.
When I left I promised myself I'd never come back. But I also promised myself I would stand by my sister, Meghan's side through everything. She's getting married before me and that's someone I can honestly say I didn't think would happen considering she's 3 years younger than me. Getting married at 20 is probably a mistake but I can tell by the way she talks about him that she's in love and I just want her happy.
I turn into my old driveway and a smile creeps on my face. This is the place that really made me who I am. I shut my car off and sigh. I stare ahead of me at the decent sized house I grew up in and memories come rushing back to me.
The tire swing is still in the big ass tree in the front yard. Dad always said he hated it and that he would cut it down the first chance he got. Guess he never got that chance. It kinda hurts to think that he never will. He died right before I left. Looking back I'm sure that's what made me leave. Being in the house where I had so many memories of him was painful. Cancer is a fucking bitch.
I get out of my car and walk up the walkway. I look at the flower beds that are now empty. Dad used to keep them filled with beautiful bright flowers. Every spring he would add a new flower. I thought that was dumb but He always said "with spring comes new life. With new life comes happiness" I guess those words stuck with me because I always try to find something to add to my life every spring.
I walk up the steps and knock on the door with my heart in my throat. I don't know why I'm so nervous to see them, my family. They are just my family.
A familiar face answers the door with a giant grin on his face. He's definitely taller and his black hair is longer.
"EL!" He says as he pulls me in for a giant hug.
"Hi Danny boy." I say breathlessly.
"Come in!" He says letting me go and walking inside.
"EL'S HERE MEG!" His loud voice rings in my ears.
I follow him into the kitchen where my mom is standing over the stove making what smells like her famous chili, which is also my favorite. Meghan springs up from her chair and runs to me. She pulls me in for a hug.
"god I missed you" she mumbles in my ear. She pulls away. She looks so different. Still short as hell just like me. Her hair is long now and she has glasses.
"Hey Meg, I missed you too" I smile widely at her.
My mom tackles me next. "Elise Gallagher I swear to god if you don't visit me more I will kick your ass"
"Love you too momma" I kiss her cheek.
"I'm making your chili baby, just cause I knew you were coming" she smiles at me. I've never seen so happy. I guess this town really does miss me.
"Hell yes!" I walk over to the stove and look in the pot. This is home.
I turn around and see Danny with his arms around meg. I never would have guessed they would get together. They are really cute together. I want that.
"You guys are gonna make me barf" I say jokingly.
"Get used to it asshole" Megs still a peach.
We sit down and eat and catch up on everything I've missed. Not much really happens here but I love when my mom over exaggerates everything to make it seem more interesting. After dinner, I get my bags from my car with some help from Danny boy. A true angel if I do say so myself.
I'm staying in my old room which hasn't changed at all. I feel like I just walked back into my old life and it feels  amazing.
I laid in my bed for a few hours just taking it all in. God how I missed this place. When I finally pass out I'm sure it's like 2 am. It's not like I'm already sleep deprived or anything

I'm awoken by the sound of loud music playing downstairs. It sounds familiar but I just can't place it. I get out of bed and throw my hair in a bun and head downstairs. I walk into the living room and see a fucking band playing.
My heart stops.
Sammy kiszka.
My first love and someone I never thought I'd see again. He looks up at me and smiles widely.
Fuck.
My stomach is doing backflips. His hair is so long now. He's taller. Still gorgeous. Wow.
The song comes to an end and josh, Sammy's brother and apparent vocalist of this band immediately comes to hug me.
"Elly bear!" I cringe at the sound. Thats what josh always called me. I have always hated it.
"Hey joshy, miss me?" I smile at him.
"Are you fucking kidding me? Of course I missed you" he punches me in the arm and I wince.
"So you're a pussy now huh?" I look over joshs shoulder and see jake, the third kiszka walking my way.
"Always have been baby" I let out a soft laugh, hug Jake and look up at him. He's still so pretty. Mrs.kiszka really has some good genes.
Sammy's walking toward me and I feel my heart art to race.
"Welcome back beautiful" he has a huge grin on his face. He pulls me in for a hug and I savor it.
This man.
"Hey Sam" I say softly because apparently touching him makes my vocal chords shut off. His smile is exactly the same. His eyes hold so much love.
"Why are you shaking?" He asks me. I pull away from him quickly and laugh.
"Just cold" I make up an excuse for my crippling anxiety.
He immediately takes off his sweatshirt and hands it to me. I refuse to take it.
"Come on, just like old times. Instead now I'm giving you my jacket. You're not stealing it"
I laugh and take the jacket and put it on. It's one of the ones I used to always take.
I haven't felt this way in years.
Holy shit.
I suddenly notice everyone is staring at us and cough really loudly.
"Wanna talk outside?" Sam says knowing I hate crowds. And there sure as hell is one. I nod and make my way through the house and out the back door.
We sit on the swing hanging from the tree in the back. I just kinda stare at my still shaking hands.
"So, how have you been?" He says to break the silence.
"Ya know" I look up at him "not fucking great buddy"
He chuckles lightly.
"What's been going on?"
I take a second to think.
"College is kicking my ass. Depression is kicking my ass. I miss my dad. Same old same old." I smile at him weakly.
"I miss John too" His mood dropped.
I take his hand in mine. It's warm and huge.
"I wish he was here to see this" I sigh and look into his eyes.
"He would love that they are together, he always loved Danny" His words hold so much emotion.
"He loved you too ya know" I smile and squeeze his hand. "One of the last things he said to me was. 'Elise you better stay with that Sam boy. He's good to you. I need to know you have someone who's good to you'". 
A tear falls down my cheek and sam wipes it away with his thumb. He moves a strand of hair from my face and leaves his hand there.
My heart is beating a million miles a minute.
He leans in and kisses me sweetly.
"I really missed you Elly"
"I missed you too sammy"